The Salt Lake Tribune reports that babies in diapers will most likely not be banned from public pools this summer to prevent the spread of cryptosporidium.
But, their parents may be required to buy special swim diapers that do a better job of containing diarrhea than widely available but ineffectual diapers like Huggies’ Little Swimmers.
And if there is another outbreak, tots in diapers will likely be banned.
Utah had one of 2007’s largest crypto outbreaks in the nation, with 1,949 crypto cases reported. To try to stem the illness, spread through fecal-oral contact, pools in most of the state barred children under 5 from late August to late September. Children in diapers were banned through mid-November.
State epidemiologist Robert Rolfs was quoted as saying,
"Children should be able to go swimming. Most of the children aren’t causing any trouble."
The suggested state rule would require waterproof pants and/or swim diapers that fit around the legs and waist for children 3 or younger, those who aren’t potty-trained, and anyone without control of bodily functions.